Vinyl pressings
by The Stylistics · 1974
The Best Of The Stylistics was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
9109003 1Y // 8▽420 03 13 22Runout side A, stamped variant 1
9109003 2Y // 5▽420 03 16 10Runout side B, stamped variant 1
9109003 1Y // 1▽420 05 12 8Runout side A, stamped variant 2
9109003 2Y // 3▽420 03 11 15Runout side B, stamped variant 2
9109003 1Y//2▽420 03 11 18Stamped runout, side A
9109003 2Y//6▽420 03 11 28Stamped runout, side B
9109003 1Y//1▽420 05 112 8Stamped runout, side A variant 1
9109003 2Y//4▽420 03 1 21 21Stamped runout, side B variant 1
A20 AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 1Y 380 CIDISRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
A10 AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 2Y 380 CIDISRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
B 19 AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 1Y 380 CIDISRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
A 23 AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 2Y 380 CIDISRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
9109003 1Y // 6 420 05 12A side runout stamped
9109003 2Y // 7 420 05 11B side runout stamped
9109 003.1A side label
9109 003.2B side label
9109003 1Y//1 420 05 1 37Stamped runout, side A
9109003 2Y3//3▽420 03 11 16Stamped runout, side B
AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 1Y 380 CIDIS A 25Runout side A, stamped
AVC 9109003 LPL 4284 2Y 380 CIDIS B JORunout side B, stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | France | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Ireland | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Singapore | Avco AV-69005-698First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Avco 9109 003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Australia | Avco L35452LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Brazil | Avco AV-69005 / H & L Records AV-69005LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Avco AV-69005LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Canada | Avco AV-69005LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Philips 6310 853 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Germany | Avco 88 751 XOTLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Germany | Avco 88 751 XOTLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | H & L Records 646 765-0LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Amherst Records AMH-743LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Amherst Records AMH-743LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Amherst Records AMH-743LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1987 | Canada | Image Records AGE-2002LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Amherst Records AMH-743LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Canada | Unidisc AVLP-69005LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Avco AV 4414LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Taiwan | Holy Hawk Record Co. Ltd. HH-599LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Avco 9109 003LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Avco 9109 003LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Avco AV-69005-698LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
51 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Stylistics are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1974 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, France, Ireland, Singapore. One of them is Avco 9109 003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9109 003, AV-69005-698) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9109003 1Y // 8▽420 03 13 22 and 9109003 2Y // 5▽420 03 16 10. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
